Business

An ‘inspiring’ new wellbeing-focused workspace has opened in Manchester city centre

The new "urban oasis" is as part of Bruntword Works' £50 million Pioneer redevelopment programme.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st June 2021

Workspace and leisure specialist Bruntwood Works has launched an “urban oasis” workplace in the centre of Manchester as part of its £50 million Pioneer redevelopment programme.

Bloc – a re-imagining of the 16-storey office block on Marble Street – has introduced a raft of quality new workspaces, amenities and technology that have all been designed to improve workplace wellbeing and boost productivity for the communities diverse range of businesses.

“Bloc’s transition from a corporate office building to a wellbeing-focused workplace is game-changing for Manchester,” said Ciara Keeling, CEO at Bruntwood Works.

“We have responded directly to what businesses and their employees expect from a modern workspace [as] we’re seeing increased demand for quality spaces that not only provide a wealth of amenities, but support positive work-life balance and create an environment where people want to spend time – both in and outside of work.

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“Bloc provides all this and more.”

So, what do businesses get to benefit from at Bloc then?

“Bloc’s transition to a wellbeing-focused workplace is game-changing for Manchester,” / Credit: Bruntwood Works and gushiyin.xyz

Central to the focus on workplace wellbeing is the introduction of RESET – a new state-of-the-art yoga studio by Manchester’s premium training brand, FORM – which is situated within the serene basement space and hosts a rolling programme of yoga, pilates and wellbeing-based classes to help people blend fitness seamlessly into the working day.

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A sleep pod has also been created to prioritise workers’ wellness and enhance productivity.

Local independent bakery Trove has opened on the ground floor and BrewDog is set to open a new bar and restaurant, as well as its first hotel, on site later this year, providing “unrivalled on-site amenity” for customers.

There will also be a focus on biophilia – which is known to help improve wellbeing, and sustainability – has also been included through the installation of an innovative, two-storey living wall that provides oxygen and helps reduce noise levels and a blue / green roof that reduces the discharge of rainwater and features wildflowers to support biodiversity and provide an additional thermal barrier.

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This is Manchester’s first wildflower roof and also aims to attract a rare native blue butterfly.

Specially-created Trompe L’oeil murals by Sheffield-based artist Rob Lee and cascading greenery throughout help make Bloc an “urban oasis”.

Bloc is an environment where people want to spend time – both in and outside of work / Credit: Bruntwood Works and gushiyin.xyz
The Annexe at Bloc has also been totally transformed into three floors of flexible workspace / Credit: Bruntwood Works and gushiyin.xyz

Ciara Keeling continued: “The increased demand for spaces that support hybrid working and further flexibility has made it clear the office is still so important, just in a new way.

“Through its blend of innovative workspace, lifestyle and retail, Bloc is setting a template for the office of the future.

“We need to create places where people truly want to be.”

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When it comes to workspaces itself, the Annexe at Bloc has also been totally transformed into three floors of flexible workspace, including 200 desks in a variety of serviced office suites, communal kitchens and lounge areas, with tech-enhanced meeting rooms to suit every need on the ground floor.

New additions to Bloc also include a coworking studio with 20 desks, which are available to customers on a flexible Pay As You Go basis, with day passes bookable online and monthly coworking memberships available.

Serviced offices and traditional leased spaces that range from 500 sq ft to 7,500 sq ft are also available on site.

You can find more information about Bloc here.

Featured Image – Bruntwood Works and gushiyin.xyz

Business

Toys R Us is back in the UK four years after going bust

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Christmas has come early for kids and parents across the nation – Toys R Us is officially back up and running in the UK.

The retailer collapsed back in 2018 and closed its 100 stores, leaving gaping holes in retail parks up and down the country.

But now the beloved toy shop chain has made a return – sort of.

The Toys R Us website has relaunched today, with more than 14,000 toys and games up for sale.

Shoppers will find world-famous brands like Lego, Marvel, Crayola and Play-Doh back on sale.

The new website features a return from the retailer’s legendary mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe, who was photographed standing in one of the empty shops with a suitcase back in 2018, breaking everyone’s hearts.

The old Toys R Us in Manchester
Geoffrey the Giraffe saying his goodbyes

A message says: “The world’s greatest toy shop is back! We can’t wait to develop and grow with you and your loved ones, over the coming weeks, months and years!”

There don’t appear to be any plans at present to bring back bricks-and-mortar toy shops.

The retailer closed due to a change in consumer habits and, like many traditional physical stores, a struggle to keep up with the rise of online shopping.

It teased that it would be making a comeback back in January.

At the time, Louis Mittoni, head of Toys R US ANZ, said: “Tailoring our successful Australian relaunch plan to the UK echoes the success of other e-commerce ‘platform play’ businesses that have delivered growth and value due to their ability to quickly and cost effectively expand their software, processes, partner relationships and brands into new countries.

“Since Toys R Us’ return to Australia in June 2019, we have scaled quickly as customers returned to the much-loved brand and our e-commerce model has proven its success.

“My team and I are looking forward to developing technical and commercial relationships with UK-based vendors and partners and to engage with the many loyal Toys ‘R’ Us former customers and fans in the UK.”

Featured image: Flickr

Business

Everything you need to know about Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget 2022

Danny Jones Danny Jones Chancellor mini-budget summary

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, has delivered his 2022 mini-budget in an attempt to address concerns surrounding the ongoing cost of living crisis.

While significant tax cuts were already predicted ahead of the crucial economic update, many people across the country may have been surprised by the sheer extent of measures announced by the chancellor across the board.

Energy

Addressing the subjects on everyone’s mind early on, Kwarteng stated that the annual price of energy for UK households will now be limited to £2,500, resulting in savings of around £1,000 against the projected figures following the most recent energy cap.

He also confirmed that the £400 energy discount is still in place, with the most vulnerable homes receiving even more in government support. Some are less than convinced that any real ‘savings’ will be made.

Earlier this week, the government announced that they would be halving energy bills for businesses over the next six months. Today he confirmed that a relief scheme will be put in place, as well as an “energy market finance scheme” which will offer liquidity to traders.

Similar relief will be afforded to schools and charities.

Lending and inflation

The hope is that this overall energy plan will reduce inflation, which currently sits at 9.9% based on August’s figures, to 5% and see the trending rate of annual financial growth to 2.5%.

Not only does the government believes this will lower the wider cost of living pressures but also free up finances to help better fund public services.

The overall energy relief package is said to be costing approximately £60 billion, meaning a significant amount will have to be borrowed from the Bank of England.

Bankers’ bonuses cap and corporation tax hike scrapped

On the subject of banks, one of the most controversial parts of the Kwasi Kwarteng’s update was the announcement that the cap on bankers’ bonuses will be scrapped entirely, arguing that previous measures only led to higher wages and people paying tax in other countries outside of the UK.

Next year’s scheduled corporation tax increase from 19% to 25% is also going to be scrapped, the rationale being that “low tax encourages investment” both domestically and from overseas.

Once again, people are less than impressed that the nation’s highest-earners appear to be the ones benefiting the most from government policy.

Removing red tape

The chancellor also said that the government are committed to removing further enterprise barriers caused by EU regulation, hoping to streamline “planning restrictions” across childcare, immigration, agricultural productivity, and digital infrastructure.

He sighted energy, telecoms and travel as key problem areas hamstrung by red tape.

However, he conversely criticised the ongoing strike action across the country and said that they plan to imitate other countries by introducing legislation to ensure minimum level service resumes.

Tax cuts

Elsewhere, businesses in nearly 40 different ‘designated zones’ have been promised tax cuts for the next 10 years and no stamp duty on new premises. Speaking of which, as of today, no payment will be required on the first £250,000 of a property’s value, with first-time buyers paying zero on the first £425,000.

In fact, it looks as though the overall tax system is set to be reviewed once again. Not only are previous corporation tax and stamp duty plans being scrapped but income tax, alcohol duty and more are all being reexamined as part of the not-so mini-budget.

Alcohol duty is set to be frozen in February, meaning that Brits can expect to save around 7p per pint, 38p per bottle of wine and £1.35 on spirits. VAT-free shopping is also due to be introduced for overseas visitors, with aim of increasing revenue from tourism.

Kwarteng also confirmed that the basic rate of income tax will be cut by 1p to 19p from April 2023, with the 45p tax rate for those earning over £150,000 will be abolished from the same time next year.

This is said to be the biggest series of tax cuts in 50 years.

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A wary winter

Despite the ‘real’ living wage being increased by 10% in an attempt to try and curb rising costs in almost every other walk of life, it goes without saying that the UK faces an extremely difficult period ahead as energy costs continue to rise, post-Brexit prices keep rising and we approach the ever expensive winter months.

The shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told the Financial Times that regardless of the measures announced today, both the mini-budget and Liz Truss’ appointment as Prime Minister represents “another zigzag on a path of policy failure” rather than any real sign of change.

Featured Image – Flickr @ Policy Exchange

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